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  1. #1
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    Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    All right, I'm looking for a nice wide lens for landscapes and small spaces, etc. The Pentax DA 10-17mm f/3.5 Fisheye would be a fun lens to have, especially for tight spaces and fun pictures. I think that the FE effect would get tiresome soon, and the lens would be more specialized than I need in a lens right now. Additionally, I get nervous that the lens glass is completely exposed and can't be protected by a filter.

    Sigma also makes a lens that would work for me in this situation. The 10-20mm f/4 wide angle will also shoot tight spaces and would be excellent on landscapes and nature shots. It doesn't feature the line-bending that the Fisheye does, but I think this lens would ultimately be more practical.

    Anyone have experience with or opinions about these lenses?

    Thanks!
    Jim R

    Canon 5D mkII - Canon 17-40mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro

  2. #2
    Surfs Mtbr Naked hollis's Avatar
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye

    I have the Pentax,
    the distortion is only bad if you use 10mm
    17mm is plenty wide & not so distorted.
    I'll try to get some examples up for you.
    The lens cap is a thick metal cap.
    I keep the cap on to protect the exposed glass.
    Earlier this year it was $399 + I got a $100 rebate

    self portrait, I think this was on 10mm

    still on 10mm (I beleive)

    not sure of the settings


    Rain or Shine, I'm going out Friday & doing an industrial landscape,
    I'll be sure to post the results
    (I'll throw in some test shots at 10 & 17 to compare)
    Last edited by hollis; 02-25-2008 at 11:49 PM.

  3. #3
    Learning more with every "click" mjs1973's Avatar
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    I don't have either of these lenses, but I do have a fisheye (16mm) and a super wide angle 12-24mm. I can tell you that the fisheye is fun, once in a while, but like you said, it can get real old, real fast. The true wide angle lens is a much more usefull tool IMO. I know if I'm going out to shoot landscapes, the WA lens is getting packed for sure, the fisheye, well, maybe, if I have room for it, but I dought it will even come out of the bag.
    Mike

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  4. #4
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    Thanks for the quick responses! They help me put this into better perspective, for both lenses.

    Holllis - Great shots! Shots like that make me want to get the FE ....Hmm
    I'm interested to see the pictures that you take with the FE this weekend! Thanks

    MJS - I think you are right about this, a WA will be a more useful tool.

    I think I'll wait until I have a big enough lens selection to add the FE (or until it has another rebate )
    Jim R

    Canon 5D mkII - Canon 17-40mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro

  5. #5
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    So, I decided to go with the Sigma. This baby is wide!

    Just a quick shot to test it out:



    The weather here is looking to be really good in the coming days. I plan to take the lens out to see what I can find.
    Jim R

    Canon 5D mkII - Canon 17-40mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro

  6. #6
    Surfs Mtbr Naked hollis's Avatar
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye

    You mean I went out on a nice & sunny 74°F for nothing?
    I'll toss up a few pics up anyway
    mostly unedited, just down sized a bit
    10mm

    17mm

    10mm

    17mm

  7. #7
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    Those are some fun pictures. I love the color of that old building! Thanks for posting these!
    Jim R

    Canon 5D mkII - Canon 17-40mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro

  8. #8
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    I want that Dodge...great captures...
    Ken


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  9. #9
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    I thought I'd follow up by posting some pictures with the new Sigma 10-20mm. These are some of the first pictures that I've taken with the lens. So far, I love it!

    I posted these in the critique section as well.





    Jim R

    Canon 5D mkII - Canon 17-40mm f/4L, Canon 50mm f/1.4, Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, Canon 100mm f/2.8 Macro

  10. #10
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    I agree that Sigma is more practical. I have both and I was very happy when I bought the Pentax 10-17 but soon I realise that it was only for fun. Its not lens for having with you on a trip.

  11. #11
    Spamminator Grandpaw's Avatar
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    Re: Pentax 10-17 Fisheye or Sigma 10-20 Wide Angle?

    I have the Sigma10-20mm and really like it. I have taken several landscapes with it and it works very well. I have printed and sold many 20x30 inch shots with this lens, Jeff
    Check out my website Here
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    All images posted by me anywhere are Copyrighted by Federal Law and may not be copied or used in ANY FORM without my personal written permission. Jeff Impey
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